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Subaru Forester recalls and problems

43 recalls and 6,314 owner complaints for 27 model years. Pick your year for full details.

Recalls
43
Complaints
6,314
Crashes reported
543
Fires reported
97

Choose a model year

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

Subaru Forester by year

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeaths
2026 Forester4350020
2025 Forester310213271
2024 Forester2315110
2023 Forester1768470
2022 Forester11008650
2021 Forester021516590
2020 Forester0604269160
2019 Forester38343711211
2018 Forester350026190
2017 Forester1594401280
2016 Forester3416403170
2015 Forester3617537340
2014 Forester2403483280
2013 Forester1278133110
2012 Forester1510715590
2011 Forester1614721640
2010 Forester1726221690
2009 Forester1717819751
2008 Forester1505350
2007 Forester17413170
2006 Forester28812750
2005 Forester193151110
2004 Forester221913480
2003 Forester318917092
2002 Forester18821180
2001 Forester0139310243
2000 Forester0757030

Most reported Subaru Forester problems

Problem areaReports
Visibility/Wiper1,035
Air Bags901
Engine817
Unknown or Other815
Electrical System794
Vehicle Speed Control514
Power Train511
Suspension347
Fuel/Propulsion System332
Service Brakes252

All Subaru Forester recalls

RecallDateYearsComponentSummary
26V-685Oct 19, 20262026Do not driveSuspensionSubaru of America, Inc.
26V-436Jul 7, 20262025–2026EquipmentSubaru of America, Inc.
26V-346May 28, 20262026VisibilitySubaru of America, Inc.
25V-889Dec 18, 20252026StructureSubaru of America, Inc.
25V-419Jun 19, 20252025Child SeatSubaru of America, Inc.
25V-033Jan 23, 20252025WheelsSubaru of America, Inc.
23V-754Nov 9, 20232023–2024Power TrainSubaru of America, Inc.
23V-755Nov 9, 20232022Power TrainSubaru of America, Inc.
23V-723Oct 26, 20232024Engine and Engine CoolingSubaru of America, Inc.
22V-838Nov 10, 20222009–2013Seat BeltsSubaru of America, Inc.
21V-587Jul 29, 20212018Fuel System, GasolineSubaru of America, Inc.
21V-263Apr 15, 20212019SuspensionSubaru of America, Inc.
20V-001Jan 2, 20202009–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
20V-003Jan 2, 20202009–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
20V-002Jan 2, 20202009–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-856Dec 2, 20192019Engine and Engine CoolingSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-701Oct 3, 20192015–2018Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-297Apr 11, 20192009–2013Electrical SystemSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-149Feb 28, 20192014–2016Exterior LightingSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-065Feb 6, 20192019SteeringSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-008Jan 9, 20192010–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-007Jan 9, 20192010–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
19V-009Jan 9, 20192010–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
18V-455Jul 10, 20182018Equipment, TiresSubaru of America, Inc.
18V-012Jan 9, 20182009–2013Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
18V-013Jan 9, 20182009–2010Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
18V-014Jan 9, 20182009Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
17V-026Jan 11, 20172009Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
17V-014Jan 10, 20172009–2012Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
16V-738Oct 13, 20162009–2013Electrical SystemSubaru of America, Inc.
16V-358May 25, 20162009–2011Air BagsSubaru of America, Inc.
16V-162Mar 21, 20162015–2016Engine and Engine CoolingSubaru of America, Inc.
14V-830Dec 31, 20142009–2013Service Brakes, HydraulicSubaru of America, Inc.
14V-311Jun 10, 20142009–2013Service Brakes, HydraulicSubaru of America, Inc.
13V-159Apr 24, 20132014EquipmentSubaru is recalling certain model year 2014 Forester vehicles manufactured from January 2013 through March 2013.
12V-602Dec 26, 20122009–2012Exterior LightingSubaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles…
12V-099Mar 13, 20122009–2012Seat BeltsSubaru is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 forester vehicles manufactured from november 26, 2007, through march 13, 2012.
11V-464Sep 6, 20112003–2008SuspensionSubaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from september 5, 2000 through november 26, 2007 originally sold, or…
08V-460Sep 11, 20082009Engine and Engine CoolingSubaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 forester vehicles.
07V-043Feb 12, 20072006Air BagsOn certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production.
04V-473Oct 1, 20042004Engine and Engine CoolingOn certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the cover bolts for the engine oil control valve may not be sufficiently tightened, allowing oil to leak from around the cover gasket.
03V-047Feb 20, 20032003Seat BeltsCertain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
02V-282Oct 30, 20022002–2003Power TrainCertain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod.

Frequently asked questions

What is the worst year for the Subaru Forester?

By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2019 Subaru Forester has the most reports (834). Check the 2019 page for the problems owners describe.

How many recalls does the Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA lists 43 safety recalls covering Subaru Forester model years 2002–2019, 2022–2026.

What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

Owners report visibility/wiper, air bags, engine problems most often.